Carter, McKenzie among eight returning All Blacks for Chiefs against Reds

The Chiefs have welcomed back eight All Blacks and a rising star, all of whom missed the team’s round 16 win over the Blues, for their qualifying final date with the Reds.

Hamilton will host the knockout clash, with the Chiefs eager to avoid history repeating itself after losing the qualifying final last year and progressing to the semi-finals with the lucky-loser tag.

Rookie head coach Jono Gibbes has plenty of stars, both established and emerging, to call upon for the tussle, and has done just that, with 13 All Blacks named across the matchday 23.

Damian McKenzie returns from a two-week absence due to concussion, Leroy Carter is back on the bench having recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for five weeks, and there are six more New Zealand representatives back in the team after sitting out last week’s regular season finale.

There is bad news for the Chiefs, too, with both Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo officially ruled out of the remaining season after initial estimates had them on track to return during the playoffs. The news brings Nanai-Seturo’s Chiefs career to a close after eight seasons, with the hot-stepping All Blacks XV outside back moving to Top 14 club ASM Clermont Auvergne next season on a three-year deal.

The future for the Chiefs remains bright, though, with rookie Isaac Hutchinson back after missing the Blues win with a concussion, starting at fullback.

“It’s not just any other game; it’s a qualifying final, and we have to make sure we earn our week by training really well and just taking it one week at a time,” said McKenzie.

“At the start of the year, you want to get to this end of the season and be in contention, and we’ve put ourselves in contention. Now it’s about focusing on what’s in front of us.

“The boys are really excited to rip in this weekend.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

33

21

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

Chiefs team to play the Reds

1. Ollie Norris
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Sione Ahio
4. Josh Lord
5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
6. Simon Parker
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Quinn Tupaea (vc)
13. Kyle Brown
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling
15. Isaac Hutchinson

Reserves

16.  Brodie McAlister
17. Jared Proffit
18. George Dyer
19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Leroy Carter

Injury list

Xavier Roe – Hamstring – SF
Reuben O’Neill – Concussion – SF
Benét Kumeroa – Groin – SF
Daniel Rona – Hand – TBC
Emoni Narawa – Foot – Season
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – Season
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season